Australia.

number of the brethren assembled to do honour to the occasion . The Provincial Grand Lodge was first opened , and the Prov . G . Master signed some documents rendered necessary by his departure from Sydney . The lodge being closed , the members joined the brethren in the large saloon , where refreshment had been provided by the D . Prov . G . Master , the V . W . Bro . Clark . The Prov . G . Master addressed the brethren , and expressed his reasons for having appointed Bro . Clark to fill the

important office during his absence , in consequence of bis zeal for the Craft , his integrity , and his general worth and fitness for the dignity . He had , however , felt it necessary to prepare a special warrant , as he might be away from the colony for a year or rather longer . The warrant presented to Bro . Clark was as follows : — "By the Eight Worshipful , George Thornton , Esq ., LP .,

& c ., of the most ancient and honourable Order of Free and Accepted Masons , I . C .-Prov . G . Master for New South Wales . " Whereas , by His Grace , Augustus Frederick , Duke of Leinstev , the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Free aud Accepted Masons , I have been appointed to the office and dignity of Eight Worshipful Provincial Grand Master for New South Wales . "And whereasI am about to proceed to Irelandand

else-, , where beyond the said province , and shall probably be absent from the said province for one year or longer , " And whereas , I know by many years' experience the zeal and devotion to the Craft always , displayed by the Very Worshipful Provincial Deputy Grand . Master , Bro . John Clark , and knowing him to be a brother of long standing , high repute , and ability , and well worthy to represent mo as Provincial Grand

Master during my absence from the colony : "Now I , the said George Thornton , the Eight Worshipful Provincial Grand Master for New South Wales , of the Order of Free and Accepted Masons , do by these presents nominate and appoint the said Bro . John Clark to perform , during my absence , all the duties of the office of Provincial Grand Master , and for his so doing , this shall be sufficient warrant and authority . "Given at Sydney , in the province of New South Wales , under my hand aud seal , this 12 th day of February , iu tbe

year of tho Christian era one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four . ( L . 3 . ) "GEOH & E THORNTON , P . G . M . " Bro . CLARIS : received the document , and with the regret that indisposition prevented his making a better acknowledgment , but thanked the Prov . G . Master for the trust reposed in him . It was of all others tho honour he bad most coveted—the goal to which the highest point of bis ambition aspired . Nothing should be wanting on his part to render this trust deservedand

, to show to the Grand Master on his retirement that the Craft had not lost its high position from the unwortliiness of its acting Grand Master . Bro . CLARK then , on behalf of the brethren , read the following address : — " To the Right Worshipful George Thornton , Esquire , J . P ., & c , Provincial Grand Master for New South Wales , Irish

Constitution , of the Most Ancient and Honourable Order of Free and Accepted Masons . Eight Worshipful Sir and Brother , — The officers and members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of New South Wales , and of the various lodges under your government , in taking leave and bidding God speed , cannot permit you to leave these shores ( though it is trusted but for a short time ) without testifing the sincere fraternal affection and respect we

y entertain towards you , not only in your capacity of Provincial Grand Master , but also as a citizen and colonist of New South Wales . We feel sure- that this heartfelt expression of our best wishes will be acceptable to you ; and we desire to record the fact , that the increased prosperity of the Craft in this province , and much , of tbe love and harmony now prevailing amongst the various lodges is to be attributed to the kind and virtuous

manner in which you have treated the brethren during your Provincial Grand Mastership . Hoping that your reception by his Grace the Duke of Leinster , the Most Worshipful Grand Master , and the Grand Lodge of Ireland , may produce inestimable benefits to the Craft in this and tbe neighbouring province , we wish you a pleasant voyage , and pray the Great Architect of the Universe to cause His blessing to restore He direct

you ; may and prosper all your undertakings , and grant us speedily to welcome you back to the land of your birth and scene of j-our Masonic career . Signed on behalf of the officers and members of your Craft , John Clark , Prov . D . G . M . The seal of the Provincial Grand Lodge is hereunto affixed , by command , at Sydney ,

Australia.

in the colony of New South Wales , this 10 th clay of February , A . D ., 1864 . William Cubitt , Prov . G . Secretary . " The PROV . G . MASTER said that at this time he felt the presentation of this address to be of great value ; it would help to remind liim of the high duties that still devolved on him in the interests of the Craft—this visit to the dear old country , to the head-quarters of their Order would be especially serviceable to him—and tbis address would help to smooth

his path , and strengthen him , so that he hoped he might become a better man , and that this would result in his being of greater use to them and to his fellow-citizens in general . Words failed to express his feelings , but they would take his thanks as deeply as he conceived them . Bro . THORNTON read a letter from the Prov . G . Master of the English Constitution , R . W . Bro . John Williams , LP .,

containing that brother's hearty wishes for his safe and happy voyage . On behalf of the English Constitution , Bro . H . N . MONTAGU said a few aprjropriate words , conveying the hearty wish of all the brethren of that Constitution for the Prov . G . Master's health and happiness , agreeable voyage , and ssfe return . The health of Bro . Thornton and fiimily was received with hearty and enthusiastic cheersshortly after which that brother

, left amidst a storm of applause , and accompanied with the most cordial farewell of the brethren . The rest of the company remained together for about an hour ; several toasts and speeches were made by Bro . Clark , Acting Prov . G . M ., also by Bros . Sutherland , M . L . A ., Cubitt , May ( of Pauramatta ) , Montagu , and others ; and after a toast , aud hearty cheers for the Queen , the meeting separated . — Siiduey Umpire .

The Week.

THE WEEK .

THE COURT . —Her Majesty , accompanied by their Eoyal Highnesses the Princess Helena and Louise , arrived in London on Wednesday , having left Windsor by the Great Western Railway . Her Iifajcsty , after having held a numerously attended Court , returned to Windsor in the evening . We are glad to he able to say the Queen appeared to be in excellent health . There was a State Concert at St . James ' s Palace in the

evening . A Levee was held on Saturday at St . James s Palace by the Prince of Wales on behalf of the Queen , at which the great officers of state and the diplomatic body attended . Lord Palmerston was present , being the first time he has been in public since his recent indisposition . The presentations were very numerous , and there was a large crowd waiting at the door of Marlborough House , by whom his Eoyal Highness was

lustily cheered on making his appearance . The Prince and Princess are at present resident at Marlborough House . The Prince will review the volunteer corps of Middlesex and the adjoining counties in Hyde Park on the 28 tb inst . Prince Alfred is said to be enjoying himself incog , at Paris . IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT . —Thursday , the 7 th , being Ascension

Day , the HOUSE OE LORDS did not meet . On Friday , the Lord Chancellor brought in a bill , ivhich was read a first time , providing for several important alterations in the powers of the County Courts . The noble and learned lord spoke strongly upon the expense entailed upon the country , and the hardships inflicted upon individuals by the commitment of poor debtors , ancl

said he proposed to limit the power of the County Court Judges to commit to cases of fraud , false pretences , and breach of trust . Persons offending in any of these respects he would treat as misdemeanments . He would give the judge power to call the creditors together , and oblige the debtor—as in the case of a bankrupt—to pay as much as he could into court , for

the purpose of meeting his liabilities . He further proposed that no publican or beerhouse keeper should have the right to bring an action ; that the power of recovery should be limited to one year ; and that County Courts should have a limited